We would like to replace the rivited air tanks on our operating steam engine with new welded and drilled air tanks. Does anyone out there have a recommended to manufacturer for RR air tanks? Thanks for your help.

Alan Siegwarth
Niles Canyon Railway
www.ncry.org

Why not go straight to the source? I just ordered a 14x30 ASME tank from wabtec.

contact them at:

1001 Air Brake Avenue
Wilmerding, PA 15148 - USA
Phone: 412-825-1000

Dave Sutter
Weiser Railroad

About 10 years ago, RMNE replaced the old main reservoirs on our GE 45-tonner with new welded, drilled ASME tanks from Stoystown Tank & Steel in Pennsylvania. At the time, the tanks were $782 each. Their address is PO Box 239, Stoystown, PA 15563, phone 814-893-5133. Good people to deal with, and first class product.

Interesting fact: Stoystown, PA is about 5 miles from where Flight 93 came to rest on 9/11/01.

These are 16" dia x 84" long tanks, with 2" FPT taps on each end and two 3/4" NPT drain taps on the bottom of the shell, at each end.

Valley Railroad has also used Stoystown for new main reservoirs on both #40 and #97. These are also welded and drilled. #97 in particular benefitted from this, as the two main reservoirs are in between the frames and were a real PITA to test.

Howard P. has it right. Stoystown is THE air tank supplier. But here's a few hints when dealing with them. They are an ASME shop and are required to place 2" inspection fittings in each tank. So, no matter the size of your air piping into the reservoir, make the end fittings 2" - then bush down to your pipe size. Also tell them you want 1/4" wall thickness. This holds up good in railroad service. The standard ASME design would give you an 1/8" wall. They are able to blast the interior and paint with epoxy.
AND they will drill it to the FRA rules. They will fax you an info sheet where you will sketch your tank and fax back to them for a quote. We have bought many tanks from them - and never have paid over $1,000.

Sounds like Stoystown is one to add my my address book, but isn't there a good outfit here on the West Coast?

Greg

But can they simulate rivets on the outside? :-)

I found Stoystown's website. http://www.stoystowntank.com/

Notice that they make their pressure vessels from carbon steel and stainless steel. Is there any FRA reason why we couldn't use stainless for a locomotive (or passenger car) air tank?

And Brandi's question is interesting. Can they simulate the rivets?

I remember reading about Strasburg making a tender tank out of stainless steel, and how they made and installed fake rivet heads. Figure the same method would work for a small air tank.

Greg

I have used Wiegmann Rose, 9131 San Leandro Street, Oakland, CA 94603. 510-632-8828. But they are not cheap. I have also heard good reports on purchasing tanks from Wabco. But you will have to watch out for the fittings you get. There standard is the bolted flange.

Dave Johnston

Dave:

Do you have a particular contact at Wabtec whom you dealt with?